Nutrition and Foods Program

Background

Dr. Ayron Walker is an Assistant Professor in Nutrition and Health Care Management at Appalachian State University. She obtained her PhD in Animal and Food Science, completed an accredited dietetic internship and a Certificate in University Teaching from West Virginia University; MS from Virginia Tech; and BS from Appalachian State University. Dr. Walker most recently served as a graduate research and teaching assistant at West Virginia, in addition to managing the Morgantown Farmers’ Market. Her dissertation focused on the theoretical development, validation, and pilot test of a nutrition-specific dissemination and implementation science training. Her research interests include: dietetic programming and curriculum; knowledge translation; implementation of evidence-based interventions; systems thinking and food systems; and disordered eating. Dr. Walker continues to serve as the membership representative for the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee.  She is the program coordinator for the Nutrition and Wellness undergraduate program, serves on the Curriculum Change committee and provides leadership to many local food initiatives such as Community FEaST. 

Professional affiliations

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior
• American Society of Nutrition
• The Society for Implementation Science in Nutrition

Education

• ADA-approved didactic internship, West Virginia University, 2022
• PhD, Animal and Food Science, West Virginia University, 2022
• Certificate, University Teaching, West Virginia University, 2021
• MS, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 2019
• BS, Nutrition and Dietetics, Appalachian State University, 2017

Research interests

• knowledge translation and implementation science
• disordered eating and eating disorders
• food insecurity
• weight stigma
• curriculum development and evaluation
• systematic and scoping reviews

Selected publications:

• Ayron E Walker and Melissa D. Olfert. An Instrumental Case Study Approach to Explore Implementation of a Nutrition-Specific Dissemination and Implementation Training. Accepted as Oral Presentation to the 2023 Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Apr 2023. 
• Alden Elizabeth, Allsopp Marie AK, Archuleta Martha, Basinger Karen, Fialkowski Marie K, Martin Susan Stephenson, Parker Stephany, Walker Ayron. Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: SNEB’s Commitment to Integrating DEI as Part of Each and Every Activity. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. May 2023.
• Ayron E. Walker, Kasey Yost, Melissa D. Olfert. Implementation of Diabetes Education and Support in Appalachia .Evaluation Review. Accepted for print Jul 2023.
• Ayron E. Walker, Melissa D. Olfert, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Elizabeth A. Claydon, Daniel Totzkay. Strategy for Expanding Nutrition Professionals’ Competency:  A Pilot Case Study in Dissemination and Implementation Science Training. Health Education Behavior. Accepted for print Aug 2023.
• Ayron E. Walker, Melissa D. Olfert, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Daniel Totzkay, Elizabeth Claydon. Nutrition-Specific Dissemination and Implementation Science Training. Development and Feedback. American Journal of Health Education. Sept 2022.
• Ayron E. Walker, Rachel A. Wattick, and Melissa D. Olfert. The application of systems science in nutrition and health behavior intervention research: A systematic scoping review. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab105
• Melissa D. Olfert, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Ayron E. Walker, Rachel A.Wattick. Rapid dissemination of college food insecurity findings in a multi-institutional study using the eB4CAST approach. Nutrients: 2020. DOI: 10.3390/nu12061646
• Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Ayron E. Walker, Rachel A. Wattick & Melissa D. Olfert. Newly Food-Insecure College Students in Appalachia During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.08.010
• Melissa D. Olfert, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Ayron E. Walker. Food Insecurity Risk Among First Generation College Students at an Appalachian University. Journal of Appalachian Studies.2021.https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jappastud.27.2.0202.